by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

The Orange's leading scorer (14.5 points a game) and rebounder (6.9 a game) last season announced his decision Wednesday, giving coach Jim Boeheim a key returner as Syracuse transitions to the Atlantic Coast Conference in July.

"This is great news for our basketball program and for C.J.," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said in a statement. "I believe he's just going to keep getting better and better as a basketball player and earning his degree is important."

Fair said another year of college basketball and graduating are in his best interests.

"After talking it over with my family and my coaches, I decided another year at Syracuse was best for me," Fair said in a statement. "I'm excited about working hard with my teammates to put together another great season and graduating has also been a goal of mine."

Syracuse loses seniors Brandon Triche and James Southerland, and sophomore Michael-Carter Williams, who is entering the NBA draft, from a team that finished 30-10 and made the Final Four.